Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

It took 19 matches but Bolton Wanderers finally have a draw on their record. While one point is certainly better than nothing, it simply was not good enough for the Men in White today after a shock 2-3 result in Blackburn's favor over United earlier in the day. The Rovers win sent Bolton bottom and the only way to avoid sitting there at the start of 2012 was a win over a Wolves side that now have draw three straight matches.

Bolton came out strong, keeping much of the possession in the first half but not doing much to create chances. There was not much to speak of going forward from David Ngog and Ivan Klasnic. Instead, it was the Bolton defense that were, for once, the positive talk of the town. A marauding run from Samuel Ricketts in the 22nd minute saw him find space at the corner of the box. The left back hit a curling effort with his right foot past a stretched Wayne Hennessey and into the side netting at the far post. The first half ended with Bolton firmly on top.

Unfortunately, the second half started in typical Bolton fashion. Bolton came out without much, if any, of the passion that they showed in the first half. Wolves earned a free kick on their right side of Bolton's box in the 48th minute. The ball in skipped through everyone to the opposite flank where Sam Ricketts was called for a shoulder charge, giving Wolves another free kick to whip the ball in. Stephen Hunt put in a great ball to Steven Fletcher who headed home from a yard out.

With no attacking fire, the match ended 1-1. The draw keeps Bolton bottom as they enter the new year but it isn't all bad. Keep in mind the fact that Wolves were in a very similar position last year and managed to crawl to safety. Hopefully Bolton will be able to do the same without as much drama. Bolton are just four points from safety at the moment and a string of good results in the new year with some new signings that see the urgency could easily see us out of the bottom three.

Keep the faith.